Overhead track



H. C. RASSMANN.

OVERHEAD TRACK.

APPLICATION FILED APR.9. I919.

1 323,722. Patented Dc. 2, 1 919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1- H. C. RASSMANN.

OVERHEAD TRACK.

APPLICATION FILED APR-9,1919.

1,323,722. Patented Dec. 2,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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HUGQ C. RASSMANN, OF BEAVER'DAM, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 F. BASSMANN MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF BEAVER DAM, WISCONSIN.

ovnnrinan TRACK.

essence.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2, 1919.

Application filed April 9, 1919. Serial No. 288,665.

1/ 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGO C. RASSMANN, a citizen the United States, and a resident of Beaver Dam, in the county of Dodge and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Overhead 'iracks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ble track at both ends and, it therefore ex-" tends in a straight line from its connection in the barn to its exterior connection and for this reason the rigid track in the barn approaches the rod or flexible track at an angle at the point of connection with the latter so asto allow the connecting device to lie on the rod track and also enable the hangers to be properly placed. The rod track does not always approach the rigid track from the same angle and for this rea son it has been necessary to provide at least two forms of connectors,one being designated right-hand and the other left hand, and in supplying such connectors, it has been necessary for a customer to specify which type he requires. 7

It is one object of my invention to provide a connector between the rigid and flexible tracks which can be readily adjusted to accommodate the flexible track regardless of the angle at which it may approach the rigid track.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating my improvements; Fig. 2 is a separate View of the connector; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connector, Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2, and Figs. 6 and 7 are views illustrating another application of my improved tip or connector.

1 represents a portion of a rigid track; 2 a portion of a rod or flexible track, and 3 my improved connector for the two tracks.

The rear portion of the connector 3 is bifurcated to form two arms 4:, 4 which receive the end of the rigid track l between them, and said arms are perforated for the passage of bolts 5 for securing theconnector to the rigid track.

The connector is made with a forwardly projecting portion 6 which overlies the flexi- -ble track Qand terminates at its free end with a tapering nose 7. The top of the con nector forms a trackway 8 which alines at one end with the top of the rigid track and its forward portion curves downwardly to the flexible track at the nose 7 In rear of the nose 7, lugs 9 are provided which may be bent to embrace the flexible track.

The connector is made, rearwardly of the lugs 9, with a reduced portion .10 fora purpose hereinafter explained, and in rear of said reduced portion, laterally and downwa-rdly projectinglugs or ears ll, 11, are

formed. The connector is made with a depending rib 12 which cooperates with the lugs or ears 11, 11 to form a frog. In practice, the flexible track 2 will pass between the rib 12 and one of the lugs or cars 11, according, to the angle at which said flexible track approaches the rigid track, and this portion of the flexible track may be secured to the connector by bending the adjacent lug or ear 11 over the same.

In order that the connector may be adapted for use with a flexible track which may approach the rigid track at an angle, either from the right or left as indicated in Fig. 1, the forward portion of the connector is made laterally adjustable. This may be accomplished by making the device of malleable or bendable metal and by forming the same with the reduced portion 10, so that the forward arm 6 of the. device may be readily bent laterally to cause it to aline with the flexible track regardlessof the angle of approach of the latter. I

My improved connector or tip 3 may be employed as partof a switch between two rigid tracks, such as a straight track 13 and a curved track 14:, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 When thus applied, the connector is secured to one end of a section 15 of rigid track, and the other end of this track sec tion is connected with the end of the straight track 13 by means of a hinge 16- the track section 15 and connector 3 thus fori'ning a switch. The hinging of the switch track section 15 to the straight track is such that the switch can be swung horii zontally and the members of the hinge are so formed that the switch track can be raised to disengage the lugs of the connector from the curved track as shown by dotted'lines in Fig. 7. When the connector rests upon the curved track the lugs 9 and one of the lugs 11 and alsothe rib 12 will 7 engage the curved track and thus prevent lateral displacement of the switch. the switch is thus set, a carrier can run from the curved track to the straight track.

Should it be desired to cause the carrier to run only on the curved track, this may be accomplished by raisingthe switch section to disengage the lugs 911 and rib 12 from the curved track and then moving the switch section laterally-as indicated by dotted lines in FigLG. The forward portion 6 vof the connector may be bent or adjusted laterally in one direction to cause it to properlyvengage the track I lwhen the latter curves as shown in Fig. 3, and said portion6 of the connector may be bent or adjusted laterally in the other direction, when the track 14 curves in a direction opposite to that shown in Fig. 3.

Various slight changes might be made in the details of construction of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof or limiting its scope and hence I do notwish 'c 2 A track connectorhaving a rigid portion adapted to be secured to a track and provided with ahorizontally adjustable porattachment to a flexible track.

. 1. A connector, adapted for connection with a'rlgld track provided with a laterally bendable forward portionadaptable for attachment to a flexible track.

5. A connector mane of malleable metal and having a reduced portion betweenits ends whereby the forward portion or the connector may be bent laterally. V

6. A connector adapted for connection with a rigid track and provided with a laterally adjustable r'orward portioinsaidlaten ally adjustable portion provided with engaging means for a fiexible track. 1' 7 7. A connector adapted for connection with. a rigid track and provided with a -for- V ward laterally adjustableportion adapted for attachment to a fiexibletrack, and a frog inrear of said laterally adjustable portion.

8. A connector adapted for connection with a rigid track and provided with a later ally adjustable forward portionadapted for attachment to a flexible track, a depending rib in rear of saidlaterally adjustable por tion, and lugs spaced from said depending rib.

9. A connector made of malleable metal and having arreduced portion between its ends whereby theforward portion of the connector may be bent laterally said forward portion having bendable lugs to engage a flexible track, a depending rib in rear of said reduced portion, and bendable lugs near respective sides of said rib' and adaptedlto engage the flexible track. I

In testimony whereofll have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HUGO vo. RASSMANN.

L at Witnesses:

ARTHUR BEDKER, A. B.. CHANDLER.

respective sides of and 

